The Art Of Movement, Guangzhou exhibition. Van Cleef & Arpels.

"The Art of Movement" exhibition

From 20 July 2024 to 8 September 2024
Guangzhou, China

Liwan District

From July 20th to September 8th, 2024, the Maison will be presenting its exhibition “The Art of Movement. Van Cleef & Arpels, living instants, eternal forms” at the former site of Shamian HSBC Bank in Guangzhou in China. Featuring over 100 creations from its patrimonial Collection and more than 50 archival documents, this selection illustrates the Maison’s constant quest to impart movement into precious materials. Like a panorama of Van Cleef & Arpels’ creativity, the exhibition displays emblematic pieces, new acquisitions as well as creations reflecting lifestyle evolutions over the decades. The visitor’s journey is divided into four themes: Human Odyssey, Nature Alive, Elegance and Abstract Movements.

Each highlights a facet of movement explored by the Maison since its foundation in 1906.

Drawing of a Ballerinas necklace, circa 1990 Van Cleef & Arpels Archives

Jewelry in motion

Van Cleef & Arpels has constantly blended its High Jewelry savoir-faire with great delicacy of vision in order to imbue the most precious materials with lightness and dynamism. Notable for their motifs, their three-dimensional volume and their composition, the creations stand out as manifestos of the art of movement. The diversity of interpretations reflects the Maison’s sources of inspiration: an affinity for different horizons and artistic disciplines, a vibrant nature, fluid fabrics and a taste for abstraction.

HUMAN ODYSSEY

The adventurous spirit of the early modern period – followed by the industrial era of the 19th century – gave rise to ever more sophisticated machines for exploring the world. Since its foundation in 1906, Van Cleef & Arpels has used its creations to accompany that bold human odyssey of wanderlust.

    Preparatory drawing of the Mystère IV plane necklace, circa 1955. Van Cleef & Arpels Archives.

    Preparatory drawing of the Mystère IV plane necklace, circa 1955
    Van Cleef & Arpels Archives

    Mystère IV plane necklace, 1956. Platinum, 18K yellow gold, diamonds. Van Cleef & Arpels Collection.

    Mystère IV plane necklace, 1956

    Platinum, yellow gold, diamonds

    Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

This idea of movement expanded to include depictions of the human body in motion: the rhythm of its positions, the beauty of its curves, its surging leaps. Twirling in tutus of precious stones or golden sequins, ballerinas have enlivened the Maison’s universe since 1941. Dance remains an endless source of inspiration to this day.

NATURE ALIVE

Whether figurative or stylized, the Maison’s flora and fauna-inspired creations bear witness to its taste for living nature. Birds with delicate plumage and outspread wings flit across the sky, filling the air with poetry. Like snapshots, the animals that adorn clips, necklaces and bracelets appear to have been frozen in mid-action.

 

Floating on a precious breeze, gold feathers alight on shoulders, multiple flowers blossom on jacket lapels, or prepare to bloom on day or evening dresses. The floral compositions of the 1940s, with their joyful corollas, seem freshly picked.

A breath of life animates these jewels and art objects

    Drawing of a Swan clip, circa 1970. Van Cleef & Arpels Archives.

    Drawing of a Swan clip, circa 1970

    Van Cleef & Arpels Archives

A symbolic bird in Europe, the swan is synonymous with fidelity and love, a value the Maison has held dear since its founding. The design of this jewel is imbued with a strong sense of vitality. From its curvy neck and inclined head to its sinuous wings evoking immaculate tail feathers; from the lifelike gleam of its ruby eye to its yellow gold beak, this Swan clip is an ode to majestic elegance.

    Nature alive. Van Cleef & Arpels.
Swan clip, 1969. Platinum, 18K yellow gold, ruby, diamonds. Van Cleef & Arpels Collection.
Bellflower clip, 1964. 18K yellow gold, rubies, diamonds. Van Cleef & Arpels Collection.
Minaudière, 1939. 18K yellow gold, silver, rubies, lacquer, diamonds. Van Cleef & Arpels Collection.
Fern earrings, 1958. 18K yellow gold, platinum, diamonds. Van Cleef & Arpels Collection.

ELEGANCE

Since its creation, Van Cleef & Arpels has drawn inspiration from the world of couture, like a homage to its place of birth. One of the specificities of these jewels is an ability to transform to match different outfits. 

 

Motifs inspired by passementerie gave rise to pieces that echo the movements of the body. Depicting bows and ribbons, they also illustrate the renascent femininity of the post-war period. Supreme examples of flexibility, jewels imitating serge fabric or rope mold themselves perfectly to women’s silhouettes.

ABSTRACT MOVEMENTS

Attentive to artistic movements throughout the 20th century, the Maison interpreted them in an original way, playing with shapes and materials. From the pure, rounded lines inspired by Modernism to the kinetic magic of the 1960s, Van Cleef & Arpels has always played with the beholder’s gaze.

    Abstract movements. Van Cleef & Arpels.
Spiral clip, 1942. Platinum, 18K yellow gold, 18K pink gold, rubies, diamonds. Van Cleef & Arpels Collection.
Cadenas wristwatch, 1943. 18K yellow gold, rubies. Van Cleef & Arpels Collection.
Wood shaving clip, 1935. 18K yellow gold, platinum, diamonds. Van Cleef & Arpels Collection.
Silhouette Flower clip, 1937. 18K yellow gold, rubies, diamonds. Van Cleef & Arpels Collection.

FOLLOWING THE RIBBON

To display this rare set of creations, the scenography echoes the theme of movement. Welcoming visitors at the entrance, a floating matte ribbon takes the shape of an ethereal flower. Inspired by the 1937 Silhouette Flower clip, this anamorphosis unfolds to guide visitors on their journey throughout the exhibition.

    The flower anamorphosis at the entrance of the exhibition. Van Cleef & Arpels.

    The flower anamorphosis at the entrance of the exhibition

"Whether it is aesthetic, balletic, mechanical, or first dreamed before being drawn and masterly rendered in precious materials, movement has always captivated and still fascinates the Maison"

Nicolas Bos, President and CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels

PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS

Location

The former site of Shamian HSBC Bank

54 Shamian Street, Liwan District

Guangzhou, China


Get Direction

Opening hours

From July 20th to September 8th, 2024

Monday - Thursday

From 10:00am to 08:00pm

Friday to Sunday

From 10:00am to 09:00pm

Entrance fee

Free admission to the exhibition upon reservation here